Soar High with God
by Annie Yorty ©2022
The Bible says those who trust in the Lord will soar like eagles. But what does it really mean to soar high with God?
God’s Gifts in Nature
On a recent vacation, God gifted me with stunning views of nature He created—pink and gold-streaked sunsets, a doe gingerly nibbling grass while watching over her gangly fawn, flocks of wild turkeys, a vivid rainbow framing a cascading waterfall, a young black bear lumbering across our path, and smooth rocks for my toes to grip in the bed of a cool mountain stream.
I don’t experience these wonders every day, so I treasure them all. But my favorite sighting was a bald eagle wheeling circles in the cloudless sky overhead.
That day, I lounged on the surface of cool, clear water, tipping my head back to bask in the sun. Both mind and body simply rested. A bird of prey flew into my vision of the heavens, floating on air as easily as I floated on the water below. I tracked its progress, marveling as it stayed aloft without a single flap of its wings. As it circled, I gasped. A bald eagle!
The majestic bird, wings outstretched, wobbled gently on thermal air currents, searching, I imagine, for prey scurrying or swimming thousands of feet below. Eventually, the eagle’s hunt led him beyond my vision behind the vast canopy of towering trees.
New Strength
I thanked God for His creation as my mind turned to an oft-quoted verse from Isaiah.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).
This wonderful promise of new strength encourages countless exhausted, discouraged people. I wonder, though, if many of us miss the rich, full context of this comparison.
What does it mean to soar with God on wings like eagles?
Weighing between ten and fifteen pounds, eagles spiral up from earth into the heavens on thermal updrafts. Soaring at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, these raptors defy gravity for hours. At this height, they glide above most storms, unscathed.
Our Creator God established the air currents that hold up the weight of eagles. Though equipped with a powerful seven-foot wingspan and the ability to fly at over fifty miles per hour, they would quickly weary without the support of the wind. Instinctively they simply spread their wings and trust their Maker.
We, too, need wind beneath our wings to soar, instead of flap, our way through life.
We need wind beneath our wings to soar, instead of flap, our way through life. Click To TweetSoaring doesn’t mean life is easy. Jesus noted the obvious fact that the world is full of troubles in John 16:33, but He also pledged to overcome them.
We often hope overcoming means erasing troubles. True, God can easily remove any problem, but He often provides a better solution with an eye toward eternity.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT).
More than likely, victory looks like the bright light of Jesus shining through the darkest moments of your life lived in God’s presence.
More than likely, victory looks like the bright light of Jesus shining through the darkest moments of your life lived in God’s presence. Click To TweetIsaiah says God infuses us with His strength to produce victory—to soar high with God.
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:28-29 NLT).
With unbounded strength, Creator God dwells in the hearts of His people—those who trust in Him—to accomplish His will through them. From His endless supply of understanding, He renews our strength and wisdom for the activities He directs us to do.
What troubles threaten to sap your meager reserves of strength? Consider how you can soar with God on wings like eagles as you receive the strength of His presence.
As you soar with God, He will enable you to:
- Bear up under injustice
- Resist your go-to sin
- Experience joy in catastrophe
- Forgive the unforgivable offense
- Persist in a difficult marriage
- Cede control of your problem to God
- Testify to God’s greatness amid physical pain
- Live with hope and purpose after your spouse dies
- Trust God’s plan when your child is born with disabilities
- Persevere in prayer for your enemy
- Hope for your addicted child
- Refuse to fear
God Goes All In
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NLT).
Just as God sacrificed His own beloved Son’s life to pay the penalty of sin for everyone in the world, He offers one hundred percent of His strength to every person who trusts Him. I know that the math doesn’t compute in human reasoning, but God’s strength never depletes with use. We can count on His unending supply to soar with God through ever circumstance.
Spread your wings and trust your Maker today.
Join the conversation:
How is God’s strength lifting and carrying you?
I welcome your comments!
Click here for a link to download this free encouraging meme.
20 Comments
Katherine Pasour
Isaiah 40:31 is my favorite verse. I love the way you’ve used this verse to help us soar with God. You were so blessed to see a bald eagle! That sight is rare these days. I’m thankful you shared more information about eagles. They are such a majestic creation (of course–all God’s creation is majestic!). Your message is filled with inspiration and encouragement for us. Thank you!
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Katherine. So many love the wonderful encouragement found in Isaiah 40:31. This life wearies us without the rest of God’s presence. Blessings!
Nancy Elizabeth Head
God is bigger than all our troubles. Thanks for encouraging us, Annie. God bless!
Annie Yorty
Amen, Nancy!
Nancy Ruegg
Praise God for his power and greatness that enables us to soar in such troubling conditions as you describe. He is ALWAYS with us, ready to strngthen and help us (Isaiah 41:10)! Hallelujah!
Annie Yorty
It’s when we’re in those tough situations relying on God that He shines brightest, and people are drawn to Him. Hallelujah, indeed!
J.D. Wininger
Loved this post Ms. Annie. Your words reminded me that God made us to soar, not struggle to stay in the air. It’s when we walk in perfect unison with His will that He provides the wind beneath our wings. When I start to falter, and feel the need to start “flapping my wings”, I know it’s a sure sign that I need to seek His will because I’ve strayed from it. So encouraging ma’am. Thank you and God’s blessings.
Annie Yorty
That’s a great litmus test, J.D. When we’re walking in step with the Spirit, we realize the outcome to everything isn’t up to us. Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you!
Beth
Annie, not only did your words paint a clear picture of the eagle soaring in the air above the water but you also wove so many wonderful verses of encouragement into this post. Thank you!
Annie Yorty
Thank you so much, Beth! Even better, don’t you love how God’s creatures paint a picture of His truth?
Candyce Carden
Soaring high with God. What a beautiful image this paints for me as it wonderfully describes the feeling that comes over me when my heart is set deep in God. Soaring high with God’s peace.
I love this line: “More than likely, victory looks like the bright light of Jesus shining through the darkest moments of your life lived in God’s presence.”
Annie Yorty
Thanks, Candyce, for your visit and comments. I’m glad you found it meaningful.
Jeannie Waters
I enjoyed the eagle facts, Annie, but your list of the ways God blesses us encouraged me to trust Him more. Thank you for inspiration and a clear picture of how He works in our lives.
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Jeannie. I know I only scratched the surface of His wonderful provision.
Jennifer
This is one of my favorite scriptures. There are a few bald eagles in our area and I sat and watched one for over an hour the other day. We can learn so much from God’s creation.
Annie Yorty
Yes, indeed. We have no excuse to not know God. In my busy life I forget how wonderful it is to sit and simply observe. Thanks for visiting, Jen.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Annie. I love the soaring with spread wings analogy. I flap far too much and it is indeed wearing. What a special blessing to be able to have that glimpse of the bald eagle.
Annie Yorty
I appreciate the visit, Sylvia. When we see each other flapping, we need to remind ourselves we have wind beneath our wings.
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